Visa regulations for Saudi Arabia from India
Are you planning on moving to Saudi Arabia? This article will give you
sufficient information regarding the country and its people, the hot,
dry climate, and safety precautions. Moreover, our guide discusses
popular expat destinations, as well as visa regulations for Saudi
Arabia, in detail.
Anyone intending to travel to Saudi Arabia needs to request a visa
first. Please note that in order to be granted a visa, you need to be in
possession of a passport that is valid for at least six months (or the
entire period of your stay, whichever is longer) with two blank visa
pages facing each other, and you need someone who will sponsor your visa
application.
Saudi Arabia doesn’t recognize dual citizenship, so
you should avoid carrying two passports with you at any time. For
example, US-Saudi nationals have had one of their passports confiscated
when it was discovered. Please also note that if your passport in any
way indicates that you have recently visited Israel, you might be
refused a visa to Saudi Arabia or have trouble entering the country.
However, various travelers and expats have had different experiences
with this issue.
Visa applications should be addressed to the
nearest Saudi Embassy or
Visa Consultants in your legal country of residence.
You can check the website of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs for
contact details of all
Saudi diplomatic missions abroad.
In
order to be granted a visa you need to fulfill certain requirements,
which vary according to the purpose of your visit and possibly your
nationality. Your Saudi Embassy or Consulate will be able to provide you
with detailed information. There are various types of visas available
to people wishing to visit Saudi Arabia, some of which are listed below.
At the time of writing, however, visas were only granted to diplomatic
visitors and their family members, for business, academic purposes and
Muslim pilgrims. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not issue tourist
visas for leisure travelers.
Types of Visa
The following visa categories apply for Saudi Arabia:
- Business / Commercial Visa
- Diplomatic and Official Visa
- Employment Visa
- Escort Visa (for the spouse and children of the principal traveler)
- Family Visit Visa
- Government Visit Visa
- Residence Visa
- Student Visa
- Work Visit Visa
- Hajj Visa
- Umrah Visa
Please
note that a normal visa doesn’t give you the right to exit and re-enter
the country at will. In order to leave the country without losing the
right to enter again, you need a special visa for multiple entries. To
avoid paying a hefty fine, you should never overstay your visa.
Moreover,
if you hold a work and/or residence permit in addition to your visa,
you will need your visa sponsor’s permission to obtain a final exit visa
and leave the country.
Business Visa
For a short business
visit, e.g. as a representative of your company, a sales
representative, an investor, or for a similar purpose, you can apply for
a Business Visa. In addition to your passport, you usually need one
recent passport-size, full-face color photograph with a white background
and a completed application form. The form should be available at your
nearest Saudi Embassy or Consulate.
It is important that you get a visa request number first. Visa service provider which handles visa applications in the
first instance and issues every approved applicant an ‘E number’. The E
number must be included in your visa application.
You will also be asked to produce one or both of the following documents:
- a
letter from your employer stating your position in the company, the
purpose and duration of your visit, which needs to be certified by the
relevant chamber of commerce in your country of residence
- an invitation from your Saudi business partner
Employment Visa
The
above-mentioned Business Visa does not give you the right to work or
reside in Saudi Arabia. In order to take up work, you need an Employment
Visa. The requirements for an Employment Visa are similar to those for a
Business Visa, generally with the following additions:
- a
letter from your Saudi employer (or visa sponsor, if not the same)
certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and Ministry of Foreign
Affairs
- a signed copy of your employment contract
- notarized certificates of your academic and/or professional qualifications
- an up-to-date police report including any criminal records
- one to three copies of your official medical report, including HIV test results, issued by a licensed physician
Expats on long-term assignments need to have their Employment Visa extended to a Residence Permit
(iqama),which is usually valid for one or two years. The
iqama is issued by the General Department of Passports, which is part of the Ministry of Interior, or its local branch offices.
Source: https://www.internations.org/saudi-arabia-expats/guide/moving-to-saudi-arabia-15376/visa-information-for-saudi-arabia-3
